Influence of Interpenetrating Chains on Rigid Domain Dimensions in Siloxane-Based Block-Copolymers

Abstract

1H spin-diffusion solid-state NMR was utilized to elucidate the domain size in multiblock-copolymers (BCPs) poly-(block poly(dimethylsiloxane)-block ladder-like poly(phenylsiloxane)) and poly-(block poly((3,3′,3″-trifluoropropyl-methyl)siloxane)-block ladder-like poly(phenylsiloxane). It was found that these BCPs form worm-like morphology with rigid cylinders dispersed in amorphous matrix. By using the combination of solid-state NMR techniques such as 13C CP/MAS, 13C direct-polarization MAS and 2D 1H EXSY, it was shown that the main factor which governs the diameter value of these rigid domains is the presence of interpenetrating segments of soft blocks. The presence of such interpenetrating chains leads to an increase of rigid domain diameter.